Happenings: Pa. Guild of Craftsmen in Wilmington

The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen will host 192 creators at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington on July 26 and 27. This indoor shopping experience is unique for the array of beautiful items that are all handmade in America. This acorn-shaped corner cabinet is by Jim Shott.

ONGOING: The Easttown Library is hosting imaginative afternoon programs for K-12 as part of its summer line-up. The schedule is as follows: Snack and Yack, (Ages 10 & up) 1 p.m. August 4; Lego Club, (Ages 4-6) Wed., 1-2 p.m.,(Ages 7+) Wed., 2:30-3:30 p.m. now-Aug. 13 (There will be no program on July 23); Make it Mondays, (Ages 10 & up) 1 p.m., July 28, and August 11; Science Activities, (Ages 6 & up) 1-3 p.m., Thurs., July 17, Aug. 7 and 14; Franklin Institute: Structures (K-12), 1-4 p.m., Tues., Aug. 12. All programs are free of charge and no registration is required. For more information, call 610-644-0138, or visit www. easttownlibrary.org where you will find the Summer 2014 Youth flyer. Easttown Library & Information Center is located at 720 First Avenue, Berwyn, Pa., 19312.

ONGOING: The Brandywine Zoo recently welcomed twin sisters… both baby red pandas… to its collection of animals. On June 27, the red pandas, named Gansu and Meriadoc, celebrated their first birthday. Earlier this Spring, they arrived at the Brandywine Zoo from the Detroit Zoo, where they were born. Red pandas look like foxes or small bears and are about the size of a house cat with rust-colored fur. As adults, red pandas sport 18-inch white ringed tails. Unlike the more familiar black and white panda, red pandas are not members of the bear family but are more closely related to the skunk, raccoon and weasel families. Red pandas are native to Nepal, Myanmar and central China and are listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species due to deforestation of its natural habitat. There are about 10,000 red pandas remaining in the wild. Located in Wilmington, the Brandywine Zoo (www.brandywinezoo.org) is open everyday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

JULY 19: Artisan Exchange, the indoor artisan food and farmers market in West Chester, features local food from local businesses. Artisan Exchange is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 208 Carter Drive, Ste. 13B, West Chester, in the Matlack Industrial Center. For more information, go to www.artisanexchangewcpa.com.

JULY 19: Dragonfly and Damselfly watching is a growing hobby among those who enjoy being outdoors. Take a walk along French Creek and the surrounding wetlands of Warwick County Park as we observe the living fossils in action on July 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The walk will begin with an interactive lesson in Warwick County Park’s new office in the educational room. Videos, diagrams, discussions and live specimens will reinforce topics discussed in the “Prehistoric Perfection” Nature of Things article. Leader: Dominick Fuski.WHERE: Park Office Education Room (Lower Level) at Warwick County Park, 191 County Park Road, Pottstown, PA 19465. Warwick County Park is located 3.5 miles west of the intersection of Routes 100 and 23 in the Village of Knauertown in Warwick Township, northern Chester County. Directions are available at www.chesco.org/ccparks. ?Registration is required for all Chester County Parks Nature of Things programs. Please register by downloading the Registration Form from www.chesco.org/ccparks or by calling the park at 610-469-1916.

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JULY 17: The Kennett Symphony of Chester County’s second annual Beat Beethoven 5K race/1 Mile Walk will be held on July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Radley Run Country Club, 1100 Country Club Road, West Chester, Pa. The object of the race/walk is to finish the course before Beethoven’s famous 5th Symphony finishes – approximately 32 minutes. The run/walk will begin with the opening sounds of the 5th Symphony. The goal is to finish the course before the music ends, and therefore “beat” Beethoven. All ages and abilities of runners and walkers are welcome. Proceeds benefit the Kennett Symphony of Chester County. Registration is $25 pre-registration by July 14; $30 thereafter and day of race. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Radley Run Country Club is located at 1100 Country Club Road, West Chester, Pa. Register online at www.runccrs.com or www.active.com. After the Run/ Walk: All participants and supporters with their friends and families can relax in the lower lounge and shaded patio of the Radley Run Country Club. Free after-race munchies, as well as a cash bar and grill picnic available for purchase on site.

JULY 19: Experience soldier and civilian life of the Civil War at an actual Civil War prison. National Historic Landmark Fort Mifflin welcomes the “troops” on July 19 from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. for what is sure to be the Civil War event of the summer in Philadelphia. Civil War era “soldiers” will be encamped at Fort Mifflin to share the details of soldier life with guests. Living History displays and activities will highlight the life of soldiers and civilians in the 1860’s. Try you hand at period toys and games, interact with the soldiers, See a cook prepare to “feed the troops” at an open hearth cooking demonstration. Kids of all ages can complete “enlistment” papers and join the soldiers to learn how to march and fire a (wooden) musket. Civil War era battlefield medicine really comes to life with an “operation” on a wounded soldier at 1 PM! Live period music by the Fort Delaware Coronet Band. Guided tours will highlight the areas of the Fort used as Civil War prison quarters. Learn the story of Private William Howe, who was imprisoned here prior to his execution in August 1864. This event takes place rain or shine, and many displays and activities will be in our air conditioned buildings! Join the fun on Saturday July 9 from 10 AM till 4 PM. General admission tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for Veterans or students under 12. Fort Mifflin is located at Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, Pa. For more information, call 215-685-4167, or go to www.fortmifflin.us.

JULY 26, 27: The largest premier fine craft fair in the Brandywine Valley returns for its 8th year with more craftsmen than ever before. The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen will host 192 creators at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, July 26 and 27. This indoor shopping experience is unique for the array of beautiful items that are all handmade in America, ranging from one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, ceramics, glass, sculpture, artisan furniture, and more. Patrons, collectors, and craft appreciators know that authentic, handmade style is not only thoughtfully designed, it sometimes comes with surprises like those in woodworker Jim Shott’s wall hangings. The most eye-catching are his colorful daisies, dragonflies, and clover with secret honeycomb compartments behind leaves and petals. Another favorite is the acorn-shaped corner cabinet that inspired his current aesthetic. One day, while making traditional wall-hung corner cabinets, he decided that a hike would clear his mind. Almost as soon as he stepped onto the trail, he picked up an acorn, and before he finished the nine-mile hike, he had the image and the complete construction process for an acorn-shaped, contemporary corner cabinet. With this event, the Guild continues to unite an astute audience with exceptional handmade objects. The Fine Craft Fair is open Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is $8, children under 12 are free. Free parking is plentiful. The Pennsylvania Guild of Fine Craft Fair is open Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE. Admission is $8/adults ($1 off coupon available from www.pacrafts.org), and free for children under 16. Free parking is plentiful. Members of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen receive free admission! Join as a supporter of craft at www.pacrafts.org today. For more information, call 717-431-8706 or visit www.pacrafts.org.

JULY 27: The Friends of Springton Manor Farm invite the public to join them for a Victorian Ice Cream Social. The ice cream social will be held at Springton Manor Farm on Sunday, July 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. You will be taken back to a more leisurely time when communities spent Sunday afternoons enjoying recreational activities. Turkey Hill ice cream will be served on the front porch of the manor house while antique cars from the 1920s and 1930s will be on display. Play games such as badminton and croquet. Make Victorian period crafts to help beat the heat. Tour the rooms of the historic manor house. Springton Manor Farm is located at 860 Springton Rd. Glenmoore, PA 19343. Donations accepted. RSVP the family name and number of guests to: FriendsofSMF@gmail.com.

JULY 28 - AUG. 1: Youth ages 8 to 18 are invited to join Chester County 4-H on a Pony Partner adventure. Pony Partners will be held July 28 – 31 at the Romano 4-H Center of Chester County, 1841 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA. The program runs from 9 am – noon, daily. The cost of the program is $75. Pony Partners is an introduction to equine science for students who have no prior experience with horses or large animals. Students will learn about horses and their care. There will also be opportunities for hands-on grooming and leading with miniature horses and ponies.

Youth ages 8 to 18 are invited to join Chester County 4-H for a Junior Engineering Camp. The camp will be held July 28 – August 1 at the West Grove United Methodist Church. The cost of the program is $75. Campers will work in teams to design, build, test and redesign a variety of projects including rubber band powered cars, paper bridges, straw rockets, balloon powered cars, and roller coasters. Each team will combine their skills to create the fastest, strongest or most accurate design. Teams will tackle a new challenge each day. The program is designed for children completing 4th grade through 8th grade.

Youth ages 8 to 18 are invited to join Chester County 4-H on a robotics adventure. Robotics Camp will be held July 21 – 25, 2014 from 8 am – noon at the Romano 4-H Center of Chester County, 1841 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, Pa. The cost of the program is $75. Participants will learn about robots by building and programming a NXT based robot like the ones used in Lego Mindstorms competitions. Camper will learn basic construction techniques, simple programming skills and how to use various sensors. Finish the week with an exciting Sumo Wrestling Lego Robots competition. This program is designed for children completing 4th through 8th grade.

JULY 28: On Monday, July 28 at 10 a.m. the Easttown Library’s Youth Services to host popular Bach to Rock program. The program is appropriate for all ages and will feature many facets of the world of music, from classical to modern. Children will learn through stories, movement-based activities, guided musical games, and group dances. The program will conclude with 15 minutes of free play with musical instruments. For more information www.easttownlibrary.org or call the library at 610-644-0138. The Easttown Library & Information Center is located at 720 First Avenue, Berwyn, Pa., 19312.

AUG. 2: The Borough of Parkesburg will host its First Annual Community Day on August 2 in Minch Park. The event will encompass the entire day with activities and contests for adults and children. Admission is free with the exception of the Victory Brewing Company Tour which will cost $20. Proceeds from this event will benefit local nonprofit charitable groups in the greater Parkesburg area. The day will begin with a 5-K Race through borough streets at 9 am. Following the race, activities will commence in Minch Park beginning at 11 am. Highlighting the day will be bike races for children on Gay Street followed by a Bed Race for adults and an unusual event, an Outhouse Race. Residents and local organizations are encouraged to form a team and enter this fun event. The races are being sponsored by Robert Montgomery Post 4480 VFW. In addition the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW will be hosting contests for children in the park. Keystone Valley Fire Department will host Fire Fighters Challenge pitting local fire companies from Chester and Lancaster Counties competing against the clock in various firefighting events. This contest will illustrate what a fireman has to endure under real firefighting conditions. Victory Brewing Company will be showcasing their new facility in nearby West Sadsbury Township. Organized tours will leave from in front of the Parkesburg Library and will cost $20 per person. The tour will last approximately one hour and you must be 21 years of age. Beginning at 4 pm VFW Post 4480 will host a chicken barbeque at the post on West Fourth Ave. Live music will be playing and a horseshoe tournament will be ongoing. In the evening beginning at 6 pm local business owners will open their establishments to offer visitors a tour of their operation and what services and products they offer. There is no charge for the tour and most businesses will offer complimentary refreshments. Again you must be 21 years of age for this tour. There will be vendors in the park beginning at 11 am until 5 pm offering food, health screenings, and general information. The evening will end with a giant fireworks display in the park at dusk. Registration information will be available on the Parkesburg Community Day Facebook Page. Rain Date will be August 3, 2014. Anyone needing information regarding participation in the events are encouraged to contact the event chairman, Jack Assetto at 610-857-1920 during the day or 610-675-5815.

AUG. 9: The Downingtown Main Street Association presents Swingin’ Summer Saturday to be held on Saturday, August 9, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is a street festival located on Wallace Avenue just off Lancaster Avenue with food and craft vendors, along with great musical entertainment. Vendor applications and sponsor opportunities available at www.downingtownmainstreet.com or contact the Main Street office at 610-269-1523, or email info@downingtownmainstreet.com.